The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 2013
Filed:
May. 25, 2012
Kevin L. Deppermann, St. Charles, MO (US);
James Crain, Wildwood, MO (US);
Sam R. Eathington, Ames, IA (US);
Mike Graham, St. Louis, MO (US);
Steven H. Modiano, Manchester, MO (US);
Kevin L. Deppermann, St. Charles, MO (US);
James Crain, Wildwood, MO (US);
Sam R. Eathington, Ames, IA (US);
Mike Graham, St. Louis, MO (US);
Steven H. Modiano, Manchester, MO (US);
Monsanto Technology LLC, St. Louis, MO (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One system includes an imaging and analysis subsystem that collects image data from the seeds and analyzes the collected image data for characteristics of the seeds. This subsystem can include an imaging theater having mirrors that reflect image data from the seeds to an imaging device for collection. The system can also include an off-loading and sorting subsystem configured to sort the seeds based on their characteristics. And, one method includes illuminating the seeds and collecting image data from the seeds for determining their characteristics. The image data can be collected from at least three portions of the seeds at each of a plurality of sequentially changing spectral wavelengths. In addition (or alternatively), the image data can be collected from top and bottom portions of the seeds using a single imaging device.